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Building momentum T'wolves need to gain confidence down the stretchPosted: Thursday April 04, 2002 4:33 PM
If the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to shake that first-round monkey off their backs, they're going to have to finish out the season strong and build up their confidence before the playoffs begin. The T'wolves have rebounded from the seven-game losing skid they endured through early March and have won six of their past eight games, including four in a row. But they have to keep that going through their remaining eight games if they have any hope of ending a string of five consecutive first-round exits. Even if they manage to build some momentum heading into the postseason, it's going to be tough for them to advance. Whoever they draw as a first-round opponent (as of April 4, that would be the Spurs), the T'wolves won't have home-court and will go in as the underdog. So no matter what happens with the pairings, there's going to be a lot of pressure on Minnesota, especially being as haunted by the past as that franchise is. When you haven't been able to win and the cast of characters has stayed basically the same, past failures can loom large. The T'wolves need to win six out of their last eight games to give them the confidence boost they're going to need.
Pistons' strengths will carry them in postseasonThe Pistons, on the other hand, already have the confidence they need to succeed in the postseason. Detroit has been impressive on the road, and the team wins with defense and the play of its bench. All those aspects of the Pistons' game will be even bigger advantages in the playoffs.
Head coach Rick Carlisle has done a sensational job with the Pistons. They've won 14 out of their past 17 road games, really improved defensively (they're allowing only 91.8 points per game, down from 97.3 last season), and they might have the best bench in the league. It's a big plus when your bench can come in and not just hold it even but also stretch the advantage. In fact, the whole team has something of a bench player's mentality. Outside of Jerry Stackhouse, the names aren't recognizable and there's not a lot of flash. But Ben Wallace has become a legitimate force this season. He's going to lead the league in rebounding and blocked shots, and there's not a team in the league that wouldn't want him in its starting lineup. In Detroit's game against Miami on Tuesday, Wallace scored only four points but he was definitely the MVP of the game. You don't see that very often.
Jordan's spirit willing, but body may be weakMichael Jordan pushed himself back from knee surgery because he thought the Wizards still had a legitimate shot at the playoffs. With several teams in the East losing ground (namely, Milwaukee and Philadelphia), he believed could get them into the postseason. It's really a shame his season had to end this way. As for next year, Jordan says he's planning to play out his two-year deal with Washington, but his nagging knee injuries might change his plans. One thing about getting older in sports is you don't heal as quickly as you used to. But Jordan has more incentive to play than just following through on his contract. He creates sellouts every night for a franchise in which he's part owner. He may have had to put his share away for a little while, but he's going to be part owner again, and he has to weigh the financial factor as well. But while he'd like to play next year to get Washington back to respectability as a franchise, physically he just may not be able to do it.
Kevin Loughery is a former NBA player and head coach. He appears each Sunday on CNN/SI's This Week in the NBA.
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